Gen Z memorial demonstrations stall House business
The unrest also led to the abrupt cancellation of multiple committee meetings without explanation.
The National Assembly was forced to adjourn its morning sitting earlier than planned on Tuesday as growing anti-government protests, mostly led by young demonstrators, intensified around the legislative complex's precincts, triggering security fears.
Despite assembling under heavy police presence at 9:30 am with a packed agenda that included six motions and four bills, Members of Parliament could not proceed as expected.
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By 11:45 am—well before the normal adjournment time of 1:00 pm, the sitting was brought to a premature close, with several MPs scheduled to move key motions failing to show up.
"Honourable members, time now being 15 minutes to midday, this House stands adjourned until 2:30 pm today," declared Ugenya MP David Ochieng’, who was presiding over the sitting.
The announcement marked an end to a tense session, after which MPs were seen leaving the Bunge Tower hurriedly as police officers sealed off surrounding areas.
Among the motions lined up was a proposal by Aldai MP Marianne Kitany to establish a regulatory framework on artificial intelligence, and another by Nyeri County’s Faith Gitau pushing for the expansion of key roads into dual carriageways.
Nominated MP Sabina Chege had also been scheduled to move a motion calling for the full implementation of universal health coverage and for public officers to exclusively use public hospitals.
Other agenda items included a motion by Westlands MP Timothy Wanyonyi on formulating a national land-use policy that separates agricultural zones from residential and commercial development.
Mwingi West’s Charles Ngusya was expected to propose a motion on creating a reward scheme for athletes who excel in international competitions.
The unrest also led to the abrupt cancellation of multiple committee meetings without explanation.
These included the Environment, Forestry and Mining Committee and the Public Investment Committee on Education and Governance.
The PIC, which is chaired by Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka, had scheduled meetings with officials from Kisii University, Mukiria Technical Training Institute, and Karatina University in the morning.
In the afternoon, they were expected to meet representatives from Garissa University, Nyandarua National Polytechnic, and Murang’a University.
Speaking later, Wamboka said many of those expected for the committee sessions were unable to reach Parliament. “Most of the witnesses could not make it,” he said.
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